Rally to support Kevin Pritchard canceled by organizer in hopes of helping GM's cause

A rally to show support for embattled Trail Blazers general manager Kevin Pritchard has been cancelled one day before the event because the organizer feared it would hurt Pritchard’s chances of being retained by the organization.

Organizer Brian Libby, 38, said it was a “strategic” move to cancel Thursday’s “Keep Kevin Pritchard” rally, which was to be held outside the team’s practice facility in Tualatin before and during the NBA Draft.

“I came to believe that old adage that you can catch more flies with honey thanyou will with vinegar,’’ Libby said. “I hope Paul Allen gets the message that we amassed our troops and peacefully went home.’’

Pritchard, who has one year remaining on his contract, is considered to be on shaky ground with Allen, although no one has been able to provide concrete reasons or evidence on why his job is in jeopardy. One theory is that Allen has become disenchanted with the credit bestowed upon Pritchard for the organization’s turnaround, which has in turn made Pritchard one of the most popular sports figures in Portland.

Libby, who had already gathered nearly 1,000 signatures in support of Pritchard and sent them to Allen’s company Vulcan, Inc. in Seattle, figured that a public display of support for Pritchard might do more harm than good.

“This was always about getting the message to Vulcan and the owner that we fans are behind Kevin Pritchard in huge numbers,’’ Libby said. “But at the same time, I figured making a big spectacle might hurt, and I didn’t want to risk that, or guess how a seemingly flighty millionaire would view this.’’

Libby, a freelance journalist, said he received some backlash shortly after cancelling the rally, with some accusing him of caving or wilting.

“I want to be clear that this was a strategic move; I will never stop fighting to keep Kevin Pritchard’s job. I just think there are different ways,’’ said Libby, who plans on personally contacting Vulcan CEO Tod Leiweke. “And this isn’t about me, or Blazers fans. This is about Kevin Pritchard keeping his job.’’